 Disclaimer: I received a free entry to K9sUnited 9K virtual race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews! Look at these photos of the K9s United race held Saturday, December 1st in Apopka, Florida. The event included beautiful K9s and wonderful people running to support them. The race was staged at the Northwest Recreational Complex. It was a great venue for the 9K, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Photos from the K9s United December 1st RacePhoto credit: K9s United Photo Booth and K9 DemonstrationThere was a K9 demonstration after the race to showcase the talents of the canines. Runners could get pictures with the K9s in the special photo booth!
Photo credit: K9s United Since I was struggling with a fever, I moved my Virtual 9k to Wednesday, Dec. 6th. (Results can be subbed anytime between 11/30-12/8). Check back for my race report. If you want to get in on a race in person or virtually go to www.K9sUnited.org for all the details. All race proceeds support K9 officers during and after they serve. Upcoming Dates for K9sUnited Races in Florida
If you enjoy running for a good reason like I do, try a 9K for K9s! #Apopka #BibRavePro #K9 #K9sUnitedBR #BibChat #RunFlorida #K9Partners #K9Demonstration #K9Training
Fact: Racing is Better with ChocolateWhen you race in a Hot Chocolate 15K or 5K you get all the chocolate! There's chocolate at the expo and packet pickup. Chocolate on the course! And a chocolate finisher's cup filled with delicious hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, and lots of dippable goodies. 15K finishers get a chocolate bar medal! Disclaimer: I'm promoting the Hot Chocolate 15K as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews  Runners who finish the 15K course receive a Tampa-specific medal along with their finisher's cup and hoodie. 5K finishers receive the hoodie and finishers cup. Final Price Increase is Dec. 2 at Midnight
Check Out What Hot Chocolate Runners Get:
Course Map and Aid Stations on Tampa Course Check out the race course and aid stations. 5K starts at 7 am. 15K begins at 7:45 am. Add SWAG to Your Pickup Bag with My CodeDon't forget to use code: BRHCTampa18 when you register to score a BONUS phone armband holder with the Hot Chocolate logo. Keep your phone safe while you run. Register online before Sunday, 12/2 at midnight to save cash! IMPORTANT: Packet Pickup DetailsPacket pickup is on Saturday, December 15, 2018 - 10am to 6pm at the Tampa Convention Center.
Come to the Hot Chocolate Expo to pick up your packet, which includes a race day bib and goodie bag. If you can't make it to any of the Expo, a friend or family member can pick up your race day necessities. They must have a copy of everyone's registration confirmation. Five packets per person max, please! If you're picking up race packets for others, please be sure to let them know that you've done so! Due to the sheer volume of Hot Chocolate Tampa participants, there is no race day packet pick-up. See You at the Sweetest Starting Line Dec. 16th!#HCTampaBR #BibChat #BibRavePro #WillRunForChocolate #RunStPete #runchat #RunSarasota #RunTampa #RunBrandon #RunBradenton #RunTampaBay #15K #5K #DiscountCode #RaceCode #BonusCode #RaceSWAG Find Your Next Race with Help from BibRave!Want some help picking your next race? The BibRave 100 was released today! Check out the top Marathons, Half Marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks from all across the country. It’s time to plan your 2019 race schedule. I can’t wait to add new races. Plus, I’m running fan favorites like my local Hot Chocolate 15K in Tampa on Dec. 16th! Visit www.thebibrave100.com to see which of your favs made the list!  The 100 best races were announced on November 28, 2018. BibRave gives runners a voice to help elevate the best races. BibRave is a community and resource for all runners to share their experiences. The BibRave 100 takes nominations each year, then shares the results. Thanks to all the runners who reported the fine details on why they love these events. Check out The BibRave 100 to see what other runners say about races. You can use it to create your race bucket list! Find the Best Races in 9 Categories! #BibRave100 #BibChat #bucketlist #BestRacesinAmerica #HCTampaBR #RunFlorida #HotChocolate15K
Last year, I ran the Inaugural St Pete Run Fest half marathon. I loved it. The race was shiny and new, but the race directors were experienced pros.
The Best Damn Race Booth at the ExpoI kinda love a good expo as much as a good race. It's fun to talk to runners. We compare notes and talk about their race goals. I got to show them all the great medals for the 2019 Best Damn Race Series. It's fun to meet people in real life that I know from online or racing. Plus, at the Expo there are discount codes and extra goodies when you register there. The music, people, and excitement all takes place in beautiful downtown St. Pete on the waterfront. It's a fun weekend from start to finish line.  Nick setting up online registration at the expo. Medals for the 2019 Best Damn Race series were revealed at the St Pete Run Fest Expo. (Photo: ThisOldRunner) Save $5 on Any Best Damn Race with CodeIf you weren't at the expo you can still SAVE $5 on any Best Damn Race in the 2019 series. Just enter my code THISOLDRUNNER at registration. Share the discount with your running friends so they save money, too!  I'll do another post that showcases each medal and city in the series in 2019. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner)
Sunday's Finish Line FunI was back at the starting line at 5:30 Sunday morning. Our first task was to fill all the Tervis tumblers with water.
Finish Line FunI loved this reverse finish line experience. Perhaps being a runner made it extra special. I worked the half marathon side of the finish line. It was fun to greet and congratulate the runners. Some of the people who volunteered were squeamish about getting transfer sweat on them. That made me laugh. At the end, one volunteer asked everyone if they were hugged by a sweaty runner. Turns out everyone was. Finish lines are emotional. I gave a hug to every runner who wanted or needed one. There were some tearful moments with runners I didn't know. I laughed, clapped, shouted, and cheered for everyone who crossed that line. Here are my favorite things in no particular order:
If you get a chance, give back to your favorite race by volunteering. As I runner, I can tell you we love seeing a cheerful, encouraging face on course and at the finish line.
Kudos to everyone at St. Pete Run Fest for another successful race weekend! I received Oofos Cloud White Ooriginal Sport Sandals to test and review for a month. Runners are notorious for ugly feet. The miles aren't kind. It's true for me, too. My feet make it hard to take appealing photos, but I think the Oofos make up for it. Keep reading to see why I love my Oofos sandals for recovery and more. Disclaimer: I received Oofos to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews Oofos Sandals for RecoveryOofos are perfect after a run. They comfort my feet, knees, and legs after a few (or many) miles. They're one of the best pairs of recovery sandals I've tried. Just look at that thick sole. Oofos have 1.25 inches of pillow-soft, shock-absorbing, sole-soothing support. Whether I walk across cement, mulch, gravel, brick, or asphalt, it's comfortable. The thick sole absorbs any shock. That means a lot after a long race when you walk a mile back to your car. Since I live in Florida, I wear sandals year-round. As I said, this pair with all the cushion and comfort are my go-to post workout sandals. But, I find I'm wearing them all the time because they feel so good.
Oofos Sandals for TravelWhether you're traveling by air to a race or to another event, these sandals offer easy comfort. Plus, they're simple to slip on and off at airport security. That's a win. We began our trip in 84 degrees in Florida. But, we were headed to Pennsylvania where it was cold and rainy. That didn't stop me from wearing my Oofos to the airport and on our flights. They were just right for logging miles on hard airport floors all day. Even better, the sandals helped my tired feet and legs recover from a long run the previous day.
Oofos Sandals for Getting Things Done and FunWhile Oofos Sport Sandals are made for sports recovery, they work well for any occasion. I've worn them for long walks, post race, travel, and running errands. Check out the special editions for the New York and Chicago Marathons in my Nov. 5th blog post. There Oofos slip ons sandals, clogs, and shoes for both men and women. OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than other foams. That translates to less stress on your feet, knees, and joints. It's a great feeling after any race 5K to marathon to ultra! #OofosBR #FeeltheOO #BibChat #BibRavePro #RecoverySandals #Sandals
Take a look at where you'll be running for chocolate in Tampa on December 16, 2019. The map below shows the #HotChocolate15K and 5K courses.
Don’t forget: You get BONUS SWAG when you use "BRHCTAMPA18" at registration. The code gets you an exclusive #HC15K armband phone holder at packet pickup. Register here: http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/tampa
#HCTampaBR #BibChat #BibRavePro #WillRunForChocolate #RunStPete #runchat #RunSarasota #RunTampa #RunBrandon #RunBradenton #RunTampaBay #15K #5K #DiscountCode #RaceCode #BonusCode #RaceSWAG Is there anything better than watching a world major marathon unfold? Does everyone cry as the leaders finish like I do? It was pure joy watching everyone run the TCS New York City Marathon yesterday. Spectating online and in front of the TV isn't close to being there in person, but it sure was fun. Congrats to everyone who worked so hard to achieve the marathon milestone. It's inspiring! Extra cheers to all those fab NY Medal Monday shots on social today! Disclaimer: I received OOFOS sandals to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews.  Headed in to watch NYC Mara on the big screen. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner) And yes, I appreciate the irony of watching the marathon from the couch while wearing recovery sandals. But, I can vouch for how nice they make my feet feel after a run — of any distance! World Class Recovery Sandals by OOFOSI hope all those marathoners can get their feet into a pair of OOFOS sandals or shoes today and the rest of the week. There are special 2018 NY Marathon sandal and slides available. Besides making your feet feel good, every OOFOS purchase contributes to finding a cure for breast cancer. If you want to commemorate your race and treat your feet, check out OOFOS special edition 2018 NYC recovery sandals and slides. Happy recovery to all.
 OOFOS NYC Mara sandals sport the bold graphics from the race! (Photo credit: OOFOS) If you ran the Chicago Marathon, you can grab a special edition sandal or slide for that race, too!  OOFOS Chicago Mara sandals have the familiar Chicago flag graphic. (Photo credit: OOFOS) #OofosBR #FeeltheOO #BibChat #BibRavePro #RecoverySandals #Sandals #NYCMarathon #Spectation #RaceRecovery If you've been following along, you know that Copper the Rescue Pup and I are running the Scooby Doo Run Series Challenge. The two-race challenge includes the September Doo Good 5K and the October Scoobtober 10K. Disclaimer: I received a Scooby Doo Run Series entry as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews. I'm happy to report we completed both races and the challenge! Copper was a great sport. Especially during last month's 5k medal ceremony! Such a sweet pup. It was fun to run these virtual races to bring awareness to other rescue pups and the Best Friends Animal Society. A portion of every race entry was donated to Best Friends no kill animal rescue. Check Our Scoobtober 10K StatsYou won't find any cadence, heart rate, pace or finish time stats here. This race was a bit different! But it was just as fun as any other race I've run. (Photos credit: ThisOldRunner.com) Top 5 Benefits of Running a Virtual RaceWould I do another virtual race? You betcha. It's such a great way to support a good cause when you can't be there in person. But that's not all. Consider these 5 benefits if you're on the fence about a virtual race like the Scooby Doo Run Series. 1. Run a Virtual Race On Your ScheduleRun your virtual race at the crack of dawn, in the middle of the day, or at night. It doesn't matter when you run, as long as you run. Virtual races fit into any work or life schedule. Use a virtual race as a way to train for your next in-person race. 2. Run Your Virtual Race Anywhere You LikeYou don't have to drive to a specific location to run a virtual race. You can run it on a treadmill or in your neighborhood. The location is up to you. Run while you're traveling or on vacation. 3. Run Alone or with Human and Canine FriendsYou can run a virtual race alone, with friends, or with your pet. Copper and I ran this race virtually with a bunch of #BibRave Pros and #BibRavePups. That's right. There were 18 Bib Rave humans and dogs running together virtually! Everyone shared photos and updates on social media. And, we met new friends on social media during the race. We posted updates with the hashtags #ScoobyDooRun, #DooGood and #Scoobtober to share with other runners around the globe!  DooGood 5K #BibRavePups! (Photo credit: RunKatyRun.com) 4. Run All the Miles At Once, Or Break It UpMost dogs shouldn't run miles at a time. There are real dangers like heat exhaustion for pups who run too hard. It's better to walk or run short distances at your own pace. A virtual run is perfect because you can break it into smaller sections. You aren't in a crowd, so you can move at a slower pace. String together a series of workouts to complete the mileage on a schedule that works for you and your dog. 5. You Get the Health Benefits and BlingEach virtual race is different, so read the specifics before you register. Most races, like the Scooby Doo Run Series, have rules about the distance and deadline. Once complete, the race gives participants a finisher medal and SWAG. The September DooGood 5K earned a medal and shirt for me, and a bandana and medal for Copper. Here are a few photos:
(Photos credit: ThisOldRunner.com) Check Back to See Our October MedalsCopper and I are watching the mailbox. Our Scoobtober 10K and Challenger SWAG should be here soon! I'll post our photos of the goodies once we have them. Until then, here are sample photos from the race director. I can't wait to see that medal in person. It's a big spinner!
(Photos credit: Scooby Doo Run Series) 2018 was the Inaugural Scooby Doo Run Series. I hope you'll consider running it next year. If so, I'll see you at the starting line! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!Our medals arrived. Check out the fun Scoobtober medals for humans and pups. Plus, the Scooby Doo backpack, bandana and Challenge medal. I have to say, Scooby Doo nailed the medal and SWAG game on their first virtual run series.
(Photos credit: ThisOldRunner.com) #CopperTheRescuePup #ScoobyDoo #VirtualRun #DooGood #BibChat #ScoobyDooBR #ScoobyDooRun #DiscountCode #BibRavePro #Virtual5K #Virtual10K #RescuePup #October10K #October5K #WhatWouldScoobyDoo #Couch25K #DiscountCode #CouponCode #RaceDiscount #FloridaRunners #DogsRunThisTown #Dogs #VirtualRace #Scoobtober
 The 2019 Best Damn Race Jacksonville ShirtHave you registered for the #BestDamnRace Jacksonville on January 12, 2019? When you do, you get a great race, fun post-run party, plus very wearable race shirts and a fantastic medal. 'Cause it's the Best Damn Race, guys! Here's a sneak peek at the race shirts. It's super soft material in Alpine Green. It comes in ladies and men's cuts so everyone looks good!  2019 Best Damn Race JAX shirts come in a men's and women's cut. Register Early for the Best Damn PriceChoose from a 5K, 10K or Half Marathon on January 12, 2019 in Jacksonville, FL. Don't forget to use my code (THISOLDRUNNER) to save $5 on any distance. Register at http://jacksonville.bestdamnrace.com/register/ to sign up. The Medal has a Wooden Surfboard Here are the 2019 Best Damn Race Jacksonville medals. Each one has a wooden surfboard, with a metal cityscape and waterfront. And of course the iconic JAX blue bridge is on the surfboard.  This just in! Here's the 10K medal in real life! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race) SAVE $5 with Discount Code "ThisOldRunner"Don't forget to use my code, “ThisOldRunner" to SAVE $5 on any race distance for you and your running buddies. Code works for ANY BDR race in ANY City! #BestDamnRaceJax #RunJacksonville #BDR #BestDamnRaceSafetyHarbor #RaceCode #DiscountCode #CouponCode #RaceDiscount #BDRJax #BDRnola #BDRSavannah #BDRTampa #BDR #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunFlorida #FloridaRunners #MRTT #SweatPink #WeRunSocial #ThisOldRunner
Challenge Yourself with 3 Local Half MarathonsWant a challenge that shows you the best sights around Tampa Bay? Here you go! It's the Inaugural Burg to Beach to Bayshore Challenge! Run a half marathon at each of these three awesome events to complete the Challenge.
How to: Burg to Beach to Bayshore ChallengeThis Challenge is unique because it involves 3 different organizations. That means you must register for each separate half marathon. Pay special attention when signing up for the St Pete Beach Classic and Gasparilla Half Marathons.
Sign up early to get the best pricing. The St Pete Run Fest and St Pete Beach Classic races have price increases on November 1st. Gasparilla Distance Classic prices go up on January 12, 2019. Better Hurry! The First Half is Nov. 18th
Here's Another Option: Enter to Win a St Pete Beach Classic 5K, 10K or Beach Race
Enter Giveaways on InstagramI'm having 3 (YEP 3!) race giveaways for the St. Pete Beach Distance Classic. The giveaway prize is your choice of the 5K, 10K or Beach Run. The October giveaway will post late today (Oct. 24). HOWEVER...if you want to run in the Burg to Beach to Bay Challenge, you can upgrade your free entry to the half by paying the difference in the registration fee. Follow This Old Runner on Instagram so you can enter the giveaway contests. I'll give away an entry in October, another in November, and the last one in December. Hint: Race entries make excellent holiday gifts for your favorite runner! #RunSPBClassic #SPBClassic #RunSPB #RunStPete #RunTampa #RunSarasota #RunTampaBay #RunLikeaPirate #B2B2B #StPeteRunFest #GasparillaDistanceClassic #GasparillaRun #PGDC19 #HealthySP #SPRF #ThisOldRunner #BibChat #StPeteBeach #TampaBay #DTSP #StPete #FloridaHalf #FloridaRunner #MRTT #RaceDiscount #RaceGiveaway
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Hey there,This is where you'll find me writing instead of running. (But, you know I'll be writing about running, right?) 
Yep, smiling's my favorite.
Another happy finish line!
Click the BRP logo to save money on your favorite races and gear. #BibRavePro
SAVE $5 on ANY race in
ANY city when you register w/ code: THISOLDRUNNER. Jacksonville (1.12.19); Safety Harbor (2.2.19); Orlando (3.2.19); New Orleans (3/24/19); Savanah (2/16/19). #BDR #BestDamnRace
Upcoming Races:Jan. 19-20, 2019
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